Pac-10 football: Previewing the NFL Draft

*** Note: Look for several draft-related items next week, including an update of this post with more names and more analysis. (There’s sure to be some movement in the final week, with players jumping onto, and off of, draft boards.)

Here are the latest projections for some Pac-10 prospects in the April 25-26 NFL Draft, according to my research and to ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, who hosted a teleconference this morning:

Not surprisingly, he noted: “It is what it is: USC dominates.”

First round

* USC quarterback Mark Sanchez

Almost assuredly the first Pac-10 player off the board … Kiper believes Sanchez could go No. 13 to Washington. He had him headed to Seattle (No. 4) “and was told no.” … If teams want to move up to get Sanchez, the best bet might be trading for Jacksonville’s pick (8).

* USC linebacker Rey Maualuga

Projected to go in the No. 15-25 range, perhaps to the Chargers (16).

* USC linebacker Brian Cushing

Should go in the 15-25 range, as well. There’s a chance one of the USC linebackers will end up in Denver (12), which is switching to a 3-4, or more likely New England (23).

* Arizona offensive tackle Eben Britton

Has climbed the draft boards since January. Second half of the first round seems right, maybe to Philadelphia, which picks 21st and 28th and needs OTs.

* USC linebacker Clay Matthews

Should go in the last 10 picks of the first round or the first few of the second. The Cardinals (31) are also in need of 3-4 OLBs.

Second/third rounds

* Cal center Alex Mack

Could sneak into the end of the first round (Pittsburgh?) but is more likely to go early in the second. Considered one of the top center prospects in years.

* Oregon center Max Unger.

Might project as a better guard than center. Could go late first. (Another option for the Steelers at No. 32?)

* Oregon State guard Andy Levitre.

Kiper: “He’s the best guard in the draft.”

* Oregon safety Patrick Chung.

Didn’t hurt himself by returning to school for his senior year (ie: would have been a second- or third-rounder in ’08.)

* Oregon cornerback Jairus Byrd

If you’re waiting for a prospect from Washington or UCLA, you’ll be waiting 12 months.

* Oregon State cornerback Keenan Lewis.

Could slip into the fourth.

Fourth/fifth rounds

* Arizona receiver Mike Thomas.

Measured a tad under 5-foot-8. Kiper: “Some may see a little of Steve Smith in him” … With the emphasis, I suppose, on “little.”

* Cal tight end Cameron Morrah.

It’s easy to see him having the career of a second- or third-round pick, even though he probably won’t go nearly that high.

* Oregon State cornerback Brandon Hughes.

Projects to go below Lewis because of his size (Lewis is two inches taller.).

Sixth/seventh rounds

* Stanford cornerback Wopamo Osaisai

Gotta like the size (5-10 and 197) and could sneak into the fifth, but injuries prevented him from posting a 40 time that would have guaranteed a spot in the middle rounds.

* Cal defensive end Rulon Davis.

He might be a mid-round pick if not for the injuries and questions about his durability.